Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Self-Care

Goal: Children develop independence in caring for themselves and their environment.

Skill Progression: Eating/drinking

Age: 15-18 Months

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Observe the child eating with a spoon.

Provide the child’s typical food in a stabilized bowl with a spoon.

The child firmly grasps the spoon, gets the spoon in the mouth, and then turns it. Food often falls out of the mouth.

The child is now able to successfully eat and drink with little assistance. Encourage parents to have the child eat with the rest of the family rather than at a separate time. This way the child observes others eating, eats the same food, and participates in the mealtime talk.